Former Chief Executive Officer of Microsoft, owner of Los Angeles Clippers, philanthropist, businessman, and investor – Steve Ballmer is a famous man in many industries. It also helps that he is one of the richest people in the world.
Over the years, Steve Ballmer has not only proven that he is brilliant, but he has also shown that he is innovative. Although he is known for being relatively inconspicuous, his level of success is what every businessman strives for. Here you can find more information about the former CEO of Microsoft.
Steve Ballmer Biography
Steve Ballmer was born in Detroit on March 24, 1956, the son of Henry Ballmer, who was a manager at Ford Motor Company, and Beatrice Dworkin. He led a privileged young life and attended schools such as the International School of Brussels. He was a bright student, graduated as a valedictorian from Detroit Country Day School, a private school in Michigan, and was also a National Merit Scholar. Ballmer graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University with a B.A. in applied mathematics and economics.
In addition to his academic brilliance, Steve Ballmer was a member of the Fox Club, a final club at Harvard University. He was also the manager of the Harvard Crimson Football Team and worked for The Harvard Crimson newspaper and the Harvard Advocate. For two years, he served as an assistant product manager at Procter & Gamble. In 1980, he joined Microsoft as Business Manager.
ALSO READ: Who Is Evan Fournier? His Height, Net Worth, Salary, And Family Life
His vast fortune began when he joined Microsoft on June 11, 1980. He became Microsoft’s 30th employee and the first business manager hired by CEO Bill Gates. He was offered a percentage stake in the company, and when the company was founded in 1981, Ballmer owned 8% of the shares. Ballmer then sold 39.3 million shares of his Microsoft stock in 2003, earning him a fortune of $955 million.
During his 20-year tenure at Microsoft, Steve Ballmer held several positions with varying degrees of achievement. He managed areas such as operations, sales & support, and operating system development. In February 1992, he became Executive Vice President of Sales and Support. One of Microsoft’s signature projects, the .NET Framework, was led by Steve Ballmer. From July 1998 to February 2001, he was the President of Microsoft and second in command to Chairman and CEO Bill Gates.
When Steve Ballmer was named chief executive officer in 2000, he led what has been called a “dramatic departure from the company’s PC-first legacy. He was instrumental in driving the company’s networked computing strategy with acquisitions such as Skype, a move that has been applauded in several publications.
Under his leadership, Microsoft’s financial success improved. The company’s revenue increased from $25 billion to $70 billion, and gross profit doubled compared to Google or IBM.
His diversification of Microsoft’s product line proved to be a feat; the addition of the Xbox entertainment and devices division saved Sony’s Playstation and other game consoles from undermining Windows’ market share.
On August 23, 2013, it was announced that he would withdraw from the company. On February 4, 2014, after numerous candidates were considered for replacement, Satya Nadella succeeded Steve Ballmer as CEO of Microsoft.
Wife – Connie Snyder, Family
In 1990 Steve Ballmer married Connie Snyder. Steve and his wife are passionate philanthropists and donate regularly to various charitable programs and education. Connie is a well-known advocate for the welfare of children. She also makes active contributions to several NGOs. The couple has three sons, and the family currently resides in Hunts Point, Washington.
Steve Ballmer Net Worth
Away from technology, Steve Ballmer made several attempts to buy a sports team. He tried Oklahoma City Thunder in 2008 and the Sacramento Kings in 2012, but both attempts failed. However, after the Donald Sterling scandal in May 2014, he became the highest bidder for the purchase of the Los Angeles Clippers for $2 billion. On August 12, 2014, Steve Ballmer became the official owner of the Los Angeles Clippers.
ALSO READ: Who is Taurean Prince of NBA? Here Are 5 Fast Facts You Need To Know
The net worth of Steve Ballmer is currently estimated at $42.7 billion. After Roberto Goizueta, he was the second person in U.S. history to become a billionaire entirely from stock options received as an employee of a company.
Relationship With Bill Gates
A key factor in his career was his relationship with Bill Gates. Since he had lived across the hall from Bill Gates during his time at Harvard and was Gates’ first business manager he hired, it was assumed that the two had a fraternal relationship. A relationship that continued throughout his career with the company.
However, when Bill Gates put him in charge in 2000, it was reported that there was some hostility between the two. According to a Vanity Fair report in October 2014, it was reported that the two were no longer speaking to each other.
Steve Ballmer – Height, Weight & Body Measurement
Steve Ballmer is 6 feet 5 inches tall. Currently, his weight and other information about his body measurements are not available. In addition to his height, the great billionaire is known for his energetic and exuberant personality.
